Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system user interface having separate programming and manual mode screens and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A user interface for use with an HVAC system, a method of providing service reminders on a single screen of a user interface of an HVAC system and an HVAC system incorporating the user interface or the method. In one embodiment, the user interface includes: (1) a display configured to provide information to a user, (2) a touchpad configured to accept input from the user and (3) a processor and memory coupled to the display and the touchpad and configured to drive the display, the display further configured to display a manual mode screen and a programming mode screen that is separate from the manual mode screen.

1 . A user interface for use with an HVAC system, comprising:
 a display configured to provide information to a user;   a processor and memory coupled to said display and configured to drive said display, said display further configured to display a manual mode screen and a programming mode screen that is separate from said manual mode screen.   
     
     
         2 . The user interface as recited in  claim 1  wherein said display is further configured to display a home screen configured to allow a user to select one of said manual mode screen and said programming mode screen. 
     
     
         3 . The user interface as recited in  claim 1  wherein said manual mode screen contains buttons are configured to allow a temperature to be increased or decreased. 
     
     
         4 . The user interface as recited in  claim 1  wherein said programming mode screen contains buttons configured to allow a user to program a plurality of periods of time. 
     
     
         5 . The user interface as recited in  claim 4  wherein said buttons allow programming of at least two of:
 a time, 
 a heating temperature, 
 a cooling temperature, and 
 a fan mode. 
 
     
     
         6 . The user interface as recited in  claim 1  wherein said programming mode screen allows a user to cycle through programs. 
     
     
         7 . A method of providing service reminders on a single screen of a user interface of an HVAC system, comprising:
 providing information to a user with a display;   accepting input from said user; and   causing said display to display a manual mode screen and a programming mode screen that is separate from said manual mode screen.   
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein said display is further configured to display a home screen configured to allow a user to select one of said manual mode screen and said programming mode screen. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein said manual mode screen contains buttons are configured to allow a temperature to be increased or decreased. 
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein said programming mode screen contains buttons configured to allow a user to program a plurality of periods of time. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10  wherein said buttons allow programming of at least two of:
 a time, 
 a heating temperature, 
 a cooling temperature, and 
 a fan mode. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 7  wherein said programming mode screen allows a user to cycle through programs. 
     
     
         13 . An HVAC system, comprising:
 a heat pump or a compressor having at least one stage;   at least one condenser coil;   an expansion valve;   at least one evaporator coil;   a loop of pipe interconnecting said heat pump or compressor, said at least one condenser coil, said expansion valve and said at least one evaporator coil and containing a refrigerant;   at least one fan configured to cause outdoor air and indoor air to blow over said at least one condenser coil and said least one evaporator coil; and   a user interface, including:
 a display configured to provide information to a user, 
 a touchpad configured to accept input from said user, and 
 a processor and memory coupled to said display and said touchpad and configured to drive said display, said display further configured to display a manual mode screen and a programming mode screen that is separate from said manual mode screen. 
   
     
     
         14 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 13  wherein said display is further configured to display a home screen configured to allow a user to select one of said manual mode screen and said programming mode screen. 
     
     
         15 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 13  wherein said manual mode screen contains buttons are configured to allow a temperature to be increased or decreased. 
     
     
         16 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 13  wherein said programming mode screen contains buttons configured to allow a user to program a plurality of periods of time. 
     
     
         17 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 16  wherein said buttons allow programming of at least two of:
 a time, 
 a heating temperature, 
 a cooling temperature, and 
 a fan mode. 
 
     
     
         18 . The HVAC system as recited in  claim 13  wherein said programming mode screen allows a user to cycle through programs.